Are we about to meet Ripper Mama Salvatore? Get a sneak peek into tonight’s episode of The Vampire Diaries airing on The CW at 8/7c.

When Season 6 of The Vampire Diaries returned from its hiatus last week with Episode 16, “A Downward Spiral,” (directed by Ian Somerhalder and written by Brian Young) we were treated to some major goodness. Caroline (Candice Accola) shut off her humanity following the death of her mother and caused quite of bit of drama. With her humanity off Caroline didn’t care that Bonnie (Kat Graham) had returned from the 1994 prison world, nor did she give a hoot that her pals were worried that if she ever turned her humanity back on what that would do to her sanity. Actually, her friends attempting to make her turn her humanity back on made Caroline provide them with an ultimatum: Leave her to be this carefree vampire or she would cause destruction like no one could believe.

Caroline wasn’t playing either. When Stefan (Paul Wesley) attempted to reach Caroline, she compelled Liam (Marco James) to kill Sarah Nelson/Salvatore (Tristin Mays). And the only way that Caroline would provide Elena (Nina Dobrev) the location of where this murderous event was about to take place, is if Stefan shut off his humanity. In the end, Stefan complied. Now we have humanity-free!Caroline and wait-for-it-Ripper!Stefan out loose in Mystic Falls, VA and Whitmore College. Drama!

Meanwhile, Kai (Chris Wood) is feeling all the feels and blackmailed Damon (Ian Somerhalder). If Damon made a way for Kai to be able to apologize to Bonnie, then Kai would supply Damon with information about his mother and why she is in the 1903 prison world. Damon did so, even though Bonnie specifically explained she wanted nothing to do with Kai. Seeing Bonnie relive the torture that Kai caused her was hard difficult to watch. However, to see that Bonnie is now a take no prisoners type of woman and inflict the physical pain that Kai forced on her onto Damon was refreshing to watch. Bonnie has been the martyr for so long and to see this shift in her personality has many excited for her upcoming story arc.

Tonight, we return with The Vampire Diaries, Season 6, Episode 17, “A Bird in a Gilded Cage,” that was directed by Joshua Butler and written by Neil Reynolds. In “A Bird in a Gilded Cage,”

Damon travels to the 1903 prison world — With the help of Bonnie and Kai, Damon and Elena set forth a plan to rescue Damon’s mother Lily (guest star Annie Wersching), who is trapped in the 1903 prison world. Meanwhile, when Caroline’s plan for Stefan backfires, she is left to pick up the pieces. Elsewhere, back at Whitmore College, Enzo (Michael Malarkey) and Alaric’s (Matthew Davis) attempt to reel Caroline back in doesn’t quite go as planned when they realize they’re outmaneuvered. Lastly, an unexpected gift from Bonnie leaves Damon shaken to his core. (via The CW Press)

We are headed to the 1903 prison world and Bonnie and Kai need to work together to make that happen. This is going to be interesting since Bonnie is so not here for Kai. “A Bird in a Gilded Cage,” is only a few hours away, but luckily for us Executive Producers Julie Plec and Caroline Dries give us an inside look into the episode in the below video. We see Damon letting Elena know about Mama Salvatore and humanity-free!Caroline and wait-for-it-Ripper!Stefan interacting.

Also, take a gander at the promotional images from The Vampire Diaries, “A Bird in a Gilded Cage,” where characters Bonnie, Caroline, Damon, and Stefan are highlighted.

Credit: Tina Rowden/The CW

Credit: Tina Rowden/The CW

Credit: Tina Rowden/The CW

Credit: Tina Rowden/The CW

Credit: Tina Rowden/The CW

As a bonus check out below video of TVD Rehash where Arielle Kebbel gives us a rundown of what happened on last week’s episode 16, “A Downward Spiral,” with witty and insightful social media commentary.

Tune in tonight for The Vampire Diaries, “A Bird in a Gilded Cage,” airing on The CW at 8/7c and join me on Twitter when I live tweet the episode while be watch.